iPad WiFi + 4G renamed 'iPad WiFi + Cellular'

[Ries]

The analogy is flawed because the iPad does connect to 4G where it's available, where in your example the "myPhone" would be an outright lie. As I said, the mistake they made was assuming people would understand about 4G, or maybe by not marketing differently in non-US countries.

I think what's not being acknowledged here is that the perspectives for us US residents might be different than those outside the US. It's the exact same marketing, and I don't think US residents feel lied to. That's why I think callinng it a "deception" somewhat invalidates an otherwise valid point. It was a marketing mistake at worst. But it just was not a lie.

Im pointing the iPad directly at my city's (in Denmark) 4G tower... hmm, no it does not connect to 4G....

 

[Beltane63]

We have 4G in Europe! Unfortunately other frequencies than those in the USA and Canada are used. So yes, it´s Apples fault not to install LTE-chips that cover the full range of frequencies worldwide.

 

[TrentS]

Why?

Wow. That is shocking. Learn about something before you buy it. Idiots.

Anyone want to explain to me why Australia chose to go with a different format? Sounds self-defeating to me.

Let them return their iPads, and go with a cut-rate Andoid tablet, see if they are happy then.



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We have 4G in Europe! Unfortunately other frequencies than those in the USA and Canada are used. So yes, it´s Apples fault not to install LTE-chips that cover the full range of frequencies worldwide.

Apple cannot try to please everyone out there on this planet. Just not going to happen.

 

[MacHiavelli]

4G UK Refunds

Apple offered refunds to "4G" buyers in Australia.

Wonder if they are going to extend that offer to other countries where the name has now been changed.

 

[Json81]

Apple cannot try to please everyone out there on this planet. Just not going to happen.

Offcourse not, but then it should not be marketed as 4G, at least not in the countries were it's not compatible. A small warning sign with "only works in some parts of USA" is not good enough.

I really hope Apple doesn't make the same misstake when they create a 4G iphone (and by misstake I mean not supporting international frequencies).

 

[PerfectDB]

Offcourse not, but then it should not be marketed as 4G, at least not in the countries were it's not compatible. A small warning sign with "only works in some parts of USA" is not good enough.

I really hope Apple doesn't make the same misstake when they create a 4G iphone (and by misstake I mean not supporting international frequencies).

It all depends on whether Qualcomm can develop the necessary chip to handle all the various frequencies that are used across the world.

Given that most countries haven't even settled on what frequencies their LTE networks will use yet (as here in the UK), I think it's unlikely to happen - iPhones/iPads with worldwide LTE support are likely to be a few years off unfortunately.

If LTE is the USP for the next iPhone, then I think there's going to be a lot of disappointed people outside the US/Canada.

 

[Json81]

It all depends on whether Qualcomm can develop the necessary chip to handle all the various frequencies that are used across the world.

Given that most countries haven't even settled on what frequencies their LTE networks will use yet (as here in the UK), I think it's unlikely to happen - iPhones/iPads with worldwide LTE support are likely to be a few years off unfortunately.

If LTE is the USP for the next iPhone, then I think there's going to be a lot of disappointed people outside the US/Canada.

Are there really more than 4 frequencies to choose from?
I got the impression that it was pretty much the same as GSM when it came to that.
It's a bit frustrating, in Sweden we have decent 4G coverage (in the larger cities with surrounding areas) but no phones/tablets supporting it.

 

[PerfectDB]

Are there really more than 4 frequencies to choose from?
I got the impression that it was pretty much the same as GSM when it came to that.
It's a bit frustrating, in Sweden we have decent 4G coverage (in the larger cities with surrounding areas) but no phones/tablets supporting it.

The problem is the cost of adding support for additional frequencies when the market for such is limited.

Sweden only has a population of around 10 million, Australia around 20 million, compared to 350 Million in the US. Put simply, it makes more business sense for Apple to provide 4G LTE support only in the US at present since this is the largest potential market (and they are a US centric company after all).

Eventually enough countries in Europe and eleswhere will go live with their LTE networks for Apple to justify adding support for their frequencies. Until then it dosen't make sense to add more power hungry chips for so little benefit (note I would love to see more LTE support - I just think it's not coming anytime soon).

 

[Beltane63]

350 Million inhabitants in the U.S.?

711 Millions in Europe!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Europe

Bring on the LTE!

 

[Json81]

The problem is the cost of adding support for additional frequencies when the market for such is limited.

Sweden only has a population of around 10 million, Australia around 20 million, compared to 350 Million in the US. Put simply, it makes more business sense for Apple to provide 4G LTE support only in the US at present since this is the largest potential market (and they are a US centric company after all).

Eventually enough countries in Europe and eleswhere will go live with their LTE networks for Apple to justify adding support for their frequencies. Until then it dosen't make sense to add more power hungry chips for so little benefit (note I would love to see more LTE support - I just think it's not coming anytime soon).

Sweden is not all of Europe and all of Europe (and i guess Australia and Asia?) will use the same frequencies and is a larger market then USA.
And of the 350 million in the US, how many have 4G coverage? With speeds that's really 4G?

 

[PerfectDB]

Sweden is not all of Europe and all of Europe (and i guess Australia and Asia?) will use the same frequencies and is a larger market then USA.
And of the 350 million in the US, how many have 4G coverage? With speeds that's really 4G?

Once all of Europe goes live with LTE then we'll see Apple support those frequencies. Until then they'll simply not bother since there are so few markets outside the US to justify the cost. Note this is true for other manufacturers as well - for every LTE phone released there is a separate international LTE-less version (like with the HTC One X).

You're right regarding 4G coverage and speeds in the US. Part of the reason American carriers are pushing '4G' is due to their appalling 3G coverage. This is often overlooked by those in Europe/Asia/Australia since their 3G networks are so well developed - it's ironic that you'll likely get faster speeds on 3G in those countries compared to LTE in the US.

 

[Json81]

Once all of Europe goes live with LTE then we'll see Apple support those frequencies. Until then they'll simply not bother since there are so few markets outside the US to justify the cost. Note this is true for other manufacturers as well - for every LTE phone released there is a separate international LTE-less version (like with the HTC One X).

You're right regarding 4G coverage and speeds in the US. Part of the reason American carriers are pushing '4G' is due to their appalling 3G coverage. This is often overlooked by those in Europe/Asia/Australia since their 3G networks are so well developed - it's ironic that you'll likely get faster speeds on 3G in those countries compared to LTE in the US.

You're probably right about that.